by Linda Straker
- 2015 UN ECLAC study identified creative industries sector directly linked to tourism sector
- Grenada Office of Creative Affairs to develop sustainable creative industries sector
- Cultural and creative industries sector called ‘The Orange Economy’
The Dickon Mitchell administration has announced that it will establish the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs as part of its strategy to develop a sustainable creative industries sector, also referred to as “The Orange Economy.”
“We are in the process of laying a solid foundation to ensure the success of the Creative Economy in the years ahead. Our first order of business is the establishment of the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs (GOCA), which will drive the work needed to structure and build the Creative Industry,” said Orlando Romain, advisor for ICT and the Creative Economy.
A news release issued by the Government Information Service (GIS) said that the GOCA is a division of the Ministry of Economic Development that will create a favourable environment for developing the country’s cultural and creative industries.
According to the release, the Office will function as the primary administrative home for the Creative Economy, with the core objective of championing, connecting, supporting, and investing in creative people and businesses.
GOCA’s primary mandate will include creating a favourable environment for the increased economic value of creative industries, facilitating linkages between the creative industries and other sectors and creating a policy framework for the sector’s development, in line with the 2035 National Sustainable Development Goals and objectives.
The Office will also raise awareness about creative industries, build the capacity of creative entrepreneurs through training programmes, seminars, and other activities; establish and manage a creative industry registry and business networking platforms; create funding opportunities and promote information about existing funding opportunities for the creative industries.
Other duties of the GOCA will be facilitating concessions and other economic incentives for creative industries; supporting the export of creative goods and, in general, the internationalisation of the sector; providing technical support to creative businesses and entrepreneurs and supporting ongoing research activities in the creative industries.
The release said that in the upcoming months, the Government plans to initiate a series of activities to solidify its commitment and set the foundation for the development of Grenada’s Creative Economy.
These include an initial stakeholder consultation, a research project to map the Creative Economy, the launch of the Creative Industries Registry and Business Networking Platform, a Cultural Industry Symposium, the implementation of special fiscal incentives for the sector, and the development of a National Cultural and Creative Industry Policy and Strategy.
A 2015 study undertaken by UN ECLAC identified the creative industries sector as having a direct link to the tourism sector making it an area for development in and for Grenada.
